Welfare Reform: Teenage Pregnancy Prevention

Publication Date: July 2004

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Social conditions

Type:

Abstract:

In 2000, an estimated 841,000 U.S. teenagers became pregnant, approximately 120,000 had miscarriages, and 244,000 had legal abortions. The result was that there were approximately 477,000 births to teenagers in 2000. In 2002, the number of births to females under age 20 was 432,808. Babies born to teens represented about ll% of all U.S. births and 25% of all nonmarital births. In recognition of the often negative, longterm consequences associated with teenage pregnancy and births, the prevention of teenage and out-of-wedlock childbearing is a major goal of this nation. Although birth rates for teens have dropped in recent years, they remain higher than the teen birth rates of most industrialized nations. The 1996 welfare reform law contains several provisions intended to reduce pregnancy among teens.